Girl · 1004th of 35,406
Ireland
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
6,472
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2009
Peak Popularity Year
353
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Ireland stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name 'Ireland' originates from the Old Irish word 'Ériu', referring to a goddess in mythology. It signifies 'land of Ériu' and has evolved through various historical forms. The name gained popularity in the 16th century and is currently associated with a rich cultural heritage. It has no direct biblical relevance but is widely recognized worldwide, with notable figures contributing to its cultural image.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈaɪərlənd/
Origin
Old Irish
Etymology
The name 'Ireland' comes from the Old Irish word 'Ériu', which was the name of a goddess in Irish mythology. The name evolved into 'Éire', which is still used in the Irish language today.
Meaning
land of Ériu
Language Evolution
Ériu, Éire, Irlanda (Latin), Hibernia (Latin)
Historical Usage
The name Ireland has been in use since the early medieval period and became more widely recognized in English during the 16th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Éire, Hibernia, Irlanda
Modern Popularity & Image
Ireland is perceived as a land of rich culture, lush landscapes, and historical significance, known for its folklore and friendly people.
Famous People
James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, Bono
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 353 peak births in 2009
Geographic Spread
Popular across 39 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4055th of 7545 | 61 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4521st of 6773 | 37 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7552nd of 7552 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 10991st of 24088 | 70 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 14409th of 23106 | 31 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 9571st of 27321 | 103 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1004th of 35406 | 3,841 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1246th of 30306 | 2,319 |